McDonald’s Canada hires Deloitte to carry out audit of its use of the temporary foreign worker program

McDonald’s Canada said Wednesday it has recruited Deloitte to carry out a compliance audit of the fast-food chain’s use of the temporary foreign worker program amid allegations it has abused the program in the past.

The operations of more than 200 of the fast-food chain’s franchised restaurants across the country will be examined by the professional services firm to ensure they meet Ottawa’s requirements for the program, McDonald’s Canada said in a statement.

“Engaging a trusted third-party firm like Deloitte to conduct this review reaffirms our commitment to doing the right thing,” said Len Jillard, McDonald’s Canada’s chief people officer, in the statement.

“If any discrepancies are uncovered through the audit process, we will act swiftly and effectively to continue to make things right.”

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McDonald’s said the audits will be completed as “quickly as possible” and mirror “as closely as possible a Service Canada audit, in every restaurant employing temporary foreign workers.”

McDonald’s came under fire in April as three of its restaurants in Victoria, B.C. moved to the centre of a debate about the program after Canadian employees made allegations that foreign workers were given priority work status and in some cases took their jobs.

Employment Minister Jason Kenney placed a temporary ban on restaurants last month that prevents them from accessing the program, and has vowed to introduce new rules.

The federal government is considering implementing a so-called wage floor that would prevent companies from paying foreign workers beneath a set wage level still to be determined, the Canadian Press reported on May 16.

That measure would be aimed at making it more difficult for employers like low-wage fast-food restaurants to access the program, stakeholders told the wire service after a closed-door meeting where Ottawa presented options to business representatives and labour union officials.